GONGOOZLER – (n) an idle spectator

Mario had finally found Avarice. He had followed some unknown trail, somehow sensing the direction that the ebony Witch had taken. His heart had led the way...to return the charm that had to be hers. He wasn't in love with her. No. Not even a little. Even if he was intoxicated by her dark chocolate skin. Such a rich brown color...

He shook his head furiously to dispel the arousing thoughts. It was wrong. Morally wrong. She was a monster. They could never be together, no matter how much he wanted to. Not that he wanted to...He peeked between the bushes at the Witch. He wanted to approach her but...

He couldn't right well approach her now. She was…well…she wasn't decent.

The Witch wasn't looking at him, but she was facing his direction, and he could see everything. She was in a river up to her waist, her little articles of clothing discarded at the bank to replace later. Her hair covered her chest quite well, but he couldn't stop staring. Especially at her skin, which invited his eyes to trace. She was riddled with light and heavy scars alike, though they only made her body more captivating to him. He took notice of how she worked at a spot on her right shoulder with a scrunched face and his heart clenched. Had she been shot by that Immune? Was the bullet still lodged in her arm? Did she need help?

A sudden rustle of leaves above sent a powerful jolt of electricity up his spine and he readied his gun for what may approach. The rustles flew overhead and from the next tree dropped a Jockey, the pink, primate-like creature bouncing over with a potato sack the same size as he over one shoulder.

Avarice noticed the creature and cooed approvingly, moving towards the bank with an outstretched hand. He placed his treasures on the ground carefully and rummaged through the contents quickly, pulling out a jar of amber honey. The Witch's smile grew exponentially and she drew the smaller, twitching body into an embrace, placing what resembled a kiss upon his forehead.

Mario felt his stomach churn with...jealousy? For a Witch? Never! That was absurd! Unthinkable. Unrealistic...and completely and utterly true. He wished he knew why. It wasn't as if the ebon female was his. She probably didn't even remember him.

Sadly, as his heart continued to sink into his stomach, he watched the Jockey offer sweet fruits and bloodied fingers to his companion, who gladly took each item and dunked them into the sticky container. She would then slowly retract her fingers, as if to ensure every bit of honey stayed where it was, and drew her digits into her mouth, purring audibly as she sucked every ounce of the viscous fluid free.

The Jockey watched, enthralled by the goddess beside him, and handed her more and more goodies, trembling with excitement. Mario just glared at the small creature. Oh, how badly he wanted to drive a bullet through its skull for even knowing the Witch.

Avarice stopped, a trail of liquid gold slipping from her slightly parted lips. She turned her head slowly, assessing her surroundings, before rising from her seat. She moved towards Mario's spot, turning her head every now and again to try and see. Part of Mario wanted to back away as quickly as he could, but he could smell the honey on her breath. It beckoned him to lick, to taste, to feel.

He didn't realize how far forward he was leaning until he was on the ground, hands outstretched before him. He was lying in her shadow, waiting for retaliation. But, instead, she knelt beside him and sniff at his hair. He shivered as her cool breath glossed over his searing skin. She muttered something and helped him to his haunches, giving him a look of curiosity.

Mario reached slowly for his pocket, pulling forth her charm bracelet. He undid the clasp and reattached it around her left wrist. She pulled back after a moment and he watched her face. She didn't make any discernible facial expression.

"It is yours...right?" he asked, hoping for some sort of answer.

She looked back at him, her sky blue eyes glossing over his face. He couldn't comprehend the next few seconds, but when he did get his mind right, he was tasting honey. Lots of honey. A light pressure was pulled away and a cheerful murmur drowned him.

Avarice pulled him over to where the Jockey was watching, slack-jawed, and sat the Immune beside her, digging out a strawberry and covering it in honey. She pulled the ripe fruit from the jar and held it to Mario's mouth. He stared at the amber fluid drizzling down her fingers. It wouldn't hurt to try just one. She was offering.

He leaned forward and bit into the juicy conical fruit, his taste buds overwhelmed with sugar. Too sweet. Extremely too sweet. He tried not to spit it back out, swallowing multiple times to try and dilute the sugar left in his mouth.

She smiled and licked the remaining honey happily from her fingers. She curled beside him and continued to eat. Mario was warm inside, her body breathing against his. But he couldn't keep his eyes off of the Jockey on the other side of the female. He was glaring angrily at the Immune.

Something told him that he and the Infected male weren't going to be friends so easily.